The awards are being held with an aim to recognise individuals, organisations, and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding and measurable contributions across the healthcare community in India.

The awards will celebrate the exceptional work being done by doctors in India, across the breadth of the Indian healthcare landscape-right from the metros to the rural towns of the country.

The categories reflect BMJ's values and include awards for ground-breaking research, inspirational leaders and innovations to improve patient care.

Dubbed the medical "Oscars", the event has become a key date in the medical calendar in the UK.

Mr Anand Ekambaram, managing director, BMJ India said, "BMJ aims to improve health and make a real difference to clinical practice worldwide. We are delighted to launch BMJ Awards India to honour courage, determination, vision, and insight in medicine across the country.

BMJ Awards India will not only provide a platform to enhance the existing relationship with the healthcare community but will also offer an opportunity to meet key influencers in the country. We hope to make it the 'Oscars' of medicine in India."

The BMJ Awards have been established in the UK since 2009 and have even attracted winning entries directly from India in recent years. In 2011, there were two winners from India in the categories of "Innovation in Healthcare and "Medical Team in a Crisis Zone".

Dr Anita Jain, India editor, the BMJ, said, "We are excited to create a platform for doctors to present their outstanding contributions in medicine through the BMJ Awards India. Our ambition is to highlight some of the best healthcare initiatives in the country and to inspire, motivate, and support the endeavours of Indian healthcare professionals."

The BMJ Awards India nomination process will start in June and culminate on the 20th of September at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi, where shortlisted individuals and teams will be honoured amongst a prestigious audience of leading figures from healthcare in India. The winners and shortlisted teams will receive extensive coverage and recognition in the Indian media.

Award categories span across various healthcare segments such as preventive health, innovation in healthcare technology, research paper of the year, excellence in medical education, quality improvement in healthcare, primary healthcare in challenging circumstances, healthcare campaigning or advocacy, surgical team of the year and medical team of the year.